PHYSIOLOGICAL AREA 

Medicina dello Sport 2011 December;64(4):379-91

Copyright © 2012 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Effect of fatigue on the swimming event in high level pentathletes. Epée fencing influence on swimming performance

Demarie S. ¹, Magini V. ², Galvani C. ³, Bianco M. ⁴

¹ Italian University Sport and Movement “Foro Italico”, Department of Human Movement and Sport Sciences, Laboratory of Sport Performance, Rome, Italy 2 Italian University Sport and Movement “Foro Italico”, Department of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy 3 Chatolic University of the Sacred Heart, Motor Science Degree, Applied Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Milan, Italy 4 Chatolic University of the Sacred Heart, Motor Science Degree, Milan, Italy

Aim. Modern Olympic Pentathlon tournament comprises five sport disciplines and extends over long duration. It is likely that the residual effect of prior exercise creates physiological responses that differ from performing each discipline as a distinct event. Purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of epée fencing (EF) on subsequent swimming performance.
Methods. Measured parameters (swimming best time over 200 m, rate of perceived exertion after swimming 200 m at maximal velocity; swimming velocity corresponding to the accumulation of 2 mM of blood lactate; swimming velocity corresponding to the accumulation of 4 mM of blood lactate, blood lactate accumulation, respiratory exchange ratio at the velocity corresponding to the accumulation of 2 mM of blood lactate, highest oxygen uptake, time to exhaustion and blood lactate accumulation during swimming at 1.43 m · s-1) were assessed at rest and after an EF competition.
Results. A decreased performance level appeared in the test session performed after the EF competition. Cause of the performance deterioration can originate from several factors which include disturbance to swimming technical ability and metabolic malfunction.
Conclusion. From the results of the present study, a need for an accurate competition strategy and an adequate carbohydrates intake and hydration, throughout the pentathlon competition disputed during one single day, should be considered a relevant aspect for success in pentathlon.